#skull spiders

[toomanyinterestsart]

Bionicle: Gathering of the Toa (Finally finished and ready to be published!)

Hello everyone!

I want to thank you all because today I finally finished my first book of my Bionicle AU. I hope that all of you will enjoy it in its entirety and that you'll be ready for the second one that will come pretty soon!

But now take a step into the world of the Bionicle:

Bionicle: Gathering Of The Toa - Chapter 1 - Overmegasixwave - Bionicle - All Media Types [Archive of Our Own]

[ryan7248]

Norzur: Former Toa of Shadow and current Toa of Skull Spiders

Lore: Norzur a natural Toa of Shadow shed his powers, friends, and family to fully embrace his role as the Toa of Skull Spiders. He is what I like to call a Kanohi Toa, those who have shed their elemental powers to better harness their mask

How to build: Toa Of Spiders Instructions by BisminandReVoiced on DeviantArt

[sepublic]

It’s been forever since I last posted about Bionicle: RaE, but... looking at Hollow Knight, and in particular the character of the Mask Maker, it’s been making me think;

In RaE the Okotans (most of them at least) are human, or at least have a human appearance. They have actual faces and for me, it’s fun thinking up and designing these human faces, trying different features, etc. But with the whole heavy emphasis on masks in the original Bionicle lore, I’m wondering;

What if in RaE, the characters are all human. But as a cultural norm, Okotans wear masks because for them, the face is a deeply sacred thing. To not wear a mask and to expose your face is basically like being naked, or mooning someone. 

(Yes this was heavily inspired by this post; 

https://lekorojams.tumblr.com/post/177358755891/so-a-few-days-ago-i-saw-this-post-where

The discussion and reblogs on this post really informed this idea of mine in a lot of ways, please read it if you have the chance!)

I feel like this is a really fun concept to work with, because one can really go out of their way to individualize and express characters through appearance (which is ironic, since masks are often used to suppress identity, not enhance it). Perhaps there’s a culture involving making one’s own mask as a rite of passage? How would the Masks of the Dead function in RaE? 

From a character design standpoint, having everyone wear distinct masks is a lot of fun while also still making the setting stand out from a regular human one, incorporating that Bionicle flavor, and exploring the idea of a different cultural norm. It would also be interesting to explore a culture that considers faces to be such a private, sacred thing, and what art about them is like. How would body language expand? For those who are deaf, sign-language would be a total necessity because masks prevent you from seeing a person’s lips.

Likewise, what does this tradition of masks have to say about identity? How sacred would the role of a Mask-Maker in RaE be, even prior to the invention of Masks of Power? Masks that are passed down, such as the Protector Masks, could say a lot about how each person inherits the role and ‘identity’ of Protector. Are there deities who are given direct homage in Mask designs, especially for the standardized, catalogued designs for specific Mask powers? In my notes, I have the concept of the Okotan Emperor being a person who completely forsakes their individual identity, donning the mask, robes, and regalia of the position to represent Okoto as a whole. 

I just... think it’s a very fun concept to explore. Especially since some Okotans may challenge the idea of what constitutes as a mask and what materials have to go in one. Or how much the mask has to cover. Character interactions are great because imagine the intimacy and trust behind the act of showing one’s face to another? Are certain roles assigned certain Masks, essentially saying that, for now at least, a person wearing that mask has their entire identity rooted in that role? Likewise, even if all Masks are required to be made from sturdy material, what if they’re broken or lost? How would a character react? Especially with the Skull Spiders being a constant threat.

Speaking of which- This concept could also make the Skull Spiders a far more invasive, perverse concept to the Okotans than they already are. Taking control of a person is one thing, but tearing off their mask and applying itself to their vulnerable face? It’s an invasion of identity and dignity, and further shows just how terrible Makuta is. The sacredness of Masks would increase as they’re now also a form of protection against the conformity of the Skull Spiders. Likewise, the Skull Raiders, who wear protective helmets but otherwise lack such an emphasis on covering one’s face, could appear more ‘barbaric’ to the Okotans for this.

How early is one’s mask introduced to a child? Are there rituals for receiving masks? Is changing one’s mask a casual thing? Would a person have access to multiple masks at a time, for different social functions and purposes? Are some animals and steeds given masks? Given how Masks of Power have to be worn on the face to be activated, could the whole culture of protecting one’s face hearken back to a very ancient understanding of this link, even before it was normalized by Ekimu and Makuta? Do the Toa themselves wear masks or are they differentiated by a lack of constantly wearing them, which... In-universe and from a design perspective makes them stand out. Kind of like how art depicts greek gods as nude. Would some masks indicate social status, especially in terms of materials or designs used? Are certain designs considered taboo, sacred?

Imagine the symbolism, of a character’s mask not fitting their face! How would Naming Day factor into this and its emphasis on names, another major facet to identity? What if a parent dies, and a surrogate figure steps in to assume the role of parent, and ends up wearing the deceased parent’s mask as a symbolic gesture? Would people make Masks for one another? Perhaps Masks indicating romance, or familial or communal bond? Would prisoners and exiles be forced to wear a certain kind of mask while in confinement? 

Impersonation may or may not be harder because a Mask is easier to replicate than a face (unless a lot of skilled craftsmanship went into the former). Of course, this makes the trust behind showing one’s face all the more potent, because you show someone the ‘true’ you, or at least a part of you that can never change and truly defines your identity. Masks could be seen as better than faces because one can choose a mask, and thus it’s more indicative of individuality and self-determinism! In combat, taking a defeated opponent’s mask holds a lot of symbolism of you ‘conquering’ that person or their identity! 

From an autistic perspective, this is further fascinating. Because for a lot of autistic people, making direct eye contact feels invasive and far too intimate to do with strangers and even most friends. Likewise, many autistic people also have face-blindness, being unable to recognize and differentiate faces. With Masks removing the concept of faces and replacing them with something far more distinct and colorful, this would be such an accommodating culture! Likewise, depending on mask design, eyes are likely to be more obscured. Could this lead to greater emphasis on expression through eyes, or decreased eye-contact as a norm? 

I dunno, it’s... just a lot of fun to speculate about. My only concern is that this means that I’m going to have to come up with a LOT of Mask-designs, especially since identity is such a key facet to them. Likewise, a part of me has had fun designing individual faces, so it kind of feels like I’m throwing several of them away now that they’re not likely to be seen unless under very specific circumstances. I dunno. It’s such a fun and unique concept for me that I might just go ahead with it anyway, and I kind of already AM within my mind. 

The idea of exploring this norm that to us is so different and over-the-top, but for the Okotans is regular and taken for granted, not questioned at all... It’s a fun thing to consider regarding social norms and how we view certain body parts. Imagine if in RaE, faces are taboo to bare, but breasts are perfectly fine! It’d be a fun way of questioning why things are the way they are, why we value them, and what we feel about things.

[decepticonaiden]

Skull Spiders

[spiritofokoto]

Toa Lewa: Spirit of the Jungle

A youthful, risk-taking guardian whose antics can sometimes prove to be endearing. Carries a big heart, courageous spirit, and two energized katanas.

{{Another Toa down! This’ll be my second attempt at uploading this photoset, so please excuse the delay or accidental uploads. This was my second attempt at Lewa, as the first was just too basic and too similar to the base set. I’m a big fan of Lewa being a lean, narrow-shouldered skinny boi, so that’s somewhat reflected in the build.

Also, Predecessors Chapter 2 is on the way, so stay tuned!

-Spirit}}

[sepublic]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Above is a link to a whole post I made for Bionicle: Redone and Expanded. It basically details Makuta’s fall from grace, his motivations, what led to the Great Cataclysm, etc. I was going to paste the whole thing here, but it ended up being, like, TEN pages. So while I’ve posted the whole thing on AO3, below is a relatively small preview of the whole post.

           In the fallout of the Great Cataclysm, much of history was unsurprisingly blurred and misremembered. Most Okotans were too preoccupied with the ordeal of surviving the harsh new Elemental Regions that their home had transformed into, and many historical records had been destroyed by the flood of elements when the Mask of Life shattered.

           That isn’t to say nobody made an attempt at remembering, and when the dust settled and the Okotans somewhat adapted, they wrote down what they could. Even now, the scholars of Kokoro labor day and night, attempting to remember and discern the past, and in the wake of Ekimu’s return, he is constantly interviewed on the Creation Age.

           But before Ekimu, and the arrival of the Toa… History was mostly remembered as stories told around a campfire, to children at night, or mentioned in passing by haunted elders. The most infamous story of all- The Mask Makers Ekimu and Makuta, and the jealousy of the latter that ultimately led to the Great Cataclysm.

           According to legend, Ekimu’s Masks of Power were more treasured than Makuta’s. And from this tiny piece of information alone, many have assumed that this means that Ekimu was always the better Mask Maker, correct?

           Not exactly… indeed, some of the disconnect was due to spiteful Okotans’ retelling history as revenge against Makuta’s history. But the reality of the situation was far more complicated;

           Ekimu wasn’t necessarily the more talented Mask Maker;

           It was Makuta… And HE invented the Masks of Power.

           When the twins discovered the Great Forge, it was ultimately Makuta who realized that one could enfuse objects, especially masks, with a ‘soul’ to manipulate and control. It was Makuta who suggested and explained the concept to his brother Ekimu, who was always considered to be the less bright of the two.

           As the Creation Age began and the Mask Makers began forging, it was Makuta who was known as the better Mask Maker. Makuta was clearly more talented, more skilled, and had a natural prowess that Ekimu lacked. His Masks of Power were the ones made more plentily, with better powers and interfaces.

           Ekimu, who lagged behind, was admittedly saddened by his relatively low skill. But instead of letting it get to him…

           Instead, he chose to keep making Masks. Yes, his weren’t as good or powerful as Makuta’s, but they DID make a difference, and that much was obvious. Maybe he didn’t get the glory of being the inventor of the Masks of Power, but just playing a part in improving the world, in discovering the secrets of Life, ultimately fascinated him.

           Thus, Ekimu kept making Masks. The brothers frequently collaborated and regularly switched the Masks of Creation and Control between the two- Neither had seen either as belonging to one at the time. And as Makuta was made busy with many commissions and personal tasks given to him by the Emperor of Okoto, Ekimu himself found time to interact with others. He wondered, why not teach others to make Masks as well? It’d be in everyone’s best interest, especially since teaching Mask Making could lead to a Mask Maker better than him, and perhaps even Makuta himself!

           Ekimu held classes and lessons teaching the concept of Mask Making, how Life energy works, and so forth. Makuta was surprised by this move of his, but accepted it in stride. As Ekimu taught Mask-Making in the City of the Mask Makers, some students proved themselves more capable and prodigal than others.

           They weren’t as good as Ekimu, but their talent nevertheless attracted the attention of Makuta, who personally took these exemplary students under his wing. Makuta became known for choosing the best of the best, discerning the worthiest Mask Makers and gifting them with the opportunity to learn from him and even act as assistants to his projects. To be chosen by Makuta was considered the highest honor.

           Some students were discouraged to see others do better than them. Ekimu, not wanting anyone to feel left behind, did his best to uplift the rest, encouraging them to keep working harder. Maybe they didn’t have a natural talent or inclination for Mask Making, but if it truly mattered to them, if they truly invested the time and effort to keep working… Then they, too, could create great Masks of Power.

           While some of Ekimu’s students quit, a select few continued training. They continued working hard, operating from a Growth Mindset as they sought to improve their skills, no matter how vigorous it may be. And as Ekimu watched his students grow, he became personally inspired by their philosophies and began applying it to himself.

           Ekimu began to challenge himself, no longer resigning himself to regular, singular-element Masks of Power. He took on more ambitious projects –with the proper safety guidelines of course- and tested the peak of his abilities. Everytime he found the height of his Mask Making power, he reflected… And then kept working to improve it.

           And so over the years, Ekimu’s Mask Making improved. It still required tremendous effort on his part, in contrast to Makuta’s ease and talent, but the end results couldn’t be argued with. Ekimu’s Masks of Power became just as good as Makuta’s, and soon…

           By working even harder, by working not for glory but for passion, creativity, curiosity, and others, Ekimu found himself creating Masks of Power that Makuta had once deemed impossible. These creative elemental combinations had been dismissed by Makuta, who had tried them a few times, but when hit with a roadblock, deemed it a pointless effort. Ekimu was undeterred by his twin’s failures- He didn’t choose to move past them to prove his own worth, but to prove the worth of Okoto itself. Ekimu believed that if anyone put in the passion and effort, they COULD redefine the impossible.

           Ekimu sacrificed entire weeks, laboring over the forge, only eating when a concerned Makuta gave him food. And as he worked, Ekimu discovered other truths of Mask-Making, and improved on them. He forged Masks of Power even stronger than what Makuta could create, realized the order in which elements were applied could affect the power of a Mask, and ultimately revolutionized Mask-Making.

           Thus, while Makuta was said to have invented Mask-Making, in many Okotans’ eyes, Ekimu was the one who perfected it.

[sepublic]

Harvali

           Harvali is a former, lost member of the Gukko Airforce. A natural explorer, historian, and archaeologist, Harvali used her position as a rider to travel between the Mega Villages, learning tales of Okoto’s past, in particular from Kokoro, where she would listen to Kylma drone all day long. Working with her lover Vira, Harvali would explore areas, helping her more artistic friend depict the locations she found on their maps. Due to her desire to explore, this naturally led Harvali to, riskily, land on the ground to walk amongst it, and even dig up artifacts. Despite Kongu’s warnings, Harvali continued on her passion, eventually being burdened by her desire to explore other parts of Okoto- Parts deemed off-limits by Vizuna.

           Despite pleas with Vizuna to try sending another search party, Harvali was refused. Thus, Harvali continued flying the same routes, finding the occasional new place with Vira’s help and support, but ultimately desiring, deeply, to see the rest of Okoto. She knew the airspace was too dangerous, and she knew the ground was littered with Skull Spiders- But if she could maintain a delicate balance between the two…

           And so, Harvali made secret plans to fly into the restricted airspace, low enough to avoid whatever caused the disappearance, and high enough to evade Skull Spiders. Harvali announced these plans to a despondent Vira, who feared for Harvali’s safety. The two argued, and put their foots down- Vira would not support Harvali in this reckless pursuit.

           Tearfully, Harvali agreed and bade her lover farewell one last time, the two taking a day out together in case Harvali never came back. And with that, Harvali got atop her Gukko at night, and flew off into the restricted airspace, past the designated highways.

           As far as everyone else could tell, she never returned. Vira didn’t quite make a funeral or shrine for Harvali- She still slightly held onto the vain hope that Harvali lived… And lived, she did, but barely. Harvali’s plan had worked, to an extent- She managed to map out quite a bit of the unknown Okoto, thrilled by her explorations, but then wary of Skull Spiders that seemed to regard her apathetically.

           Harvali’s flight could only continue for so long, before Makuta’s forces attacked and tore apart her steed. Wounded and hurt, Harvali was forced to hide until her attackers left, before continuing on. Unable to head back due to several slumbering Skull Spiders she had spotted during her flight, Harvali kept navigating the swarm-free areas, mapping and exploring, becoming afraid and missing Vira, until she finally stumbled across it;

           The City of the Mask Makers. And from her vantage point, she could see that SOMETHING was stirring, operating there… And unfortunately for poor Harvali, she paid little heed to a patrolling Kal, who spotted her from afar and fired. The blast destroyed the ledge she was on, and Harvali fell into the chasm below, only to catch on to one of many hanging vines. Clinging to life, Harvali clung to the cliff side, hoping to climb up, until she noticed a nearby cave entrance below. Puzzled, she climbed down and entered it, discovering an underground, seemingly, cavernous network of tunnels…

           Harvali found what seemed to be abandoned labs, with discarded research files, tossed-aside tools, failed experiments still in their flasks, and the occasional leftover of Makuta’s madness still roaming the tunnels. Harvali was forced to evade these creatures, and she attempted to leave from which she came- But she couldn’t. The vine she had climbed with was too far, the rock face too steep, and the bottom too far below. And so Harvali was forced to reenter the tunnel network, navigating and mapping out the abandoned lair, avoiding Makuta’s past experiments, learning past secrets left behind, and trying to find another way out, subsisting on what little she could find…

[sepublic]

Frostelus

           A race of hunched-over, four-legged, four-armed beings with dark-blue and brown mottled skin, and vaguely reptilian faces. Ranging usually from six to eight feet in height, Frostelus are a sapient species that came into existence in the time before time like Okotans, albeit in far smaller numbers.

           The Frostelus generally kept to themselves during their existence, preferring to dwell in iceberg homes in the north of Okoto. Their monstrous appearance, guttural language, and various other aesthetics made them fearsome to many Okotans, who stereotyped the Frostelus as a savage, barbarian species, with some even doubting their sapience. Some Okotans even treated them as monsters to be conquered, although efforts to ‘civilize’ the Frostelus always failed. Obviously, this only made the Frostelus incredibly territorial and generally hostile to newcomer, although they ultimately lacked malice and at times could be willing to interact with others and even make trade.

           As Okoto began to organize itself into a collective, unified society during the Creation Era, the Okotan Emperor began expansionist policies across the island. Their attempt to establish cities and colonies up north failed due to their somewhat hostile and unnegotiable approach to the Frostelus. As far as the Emperor was concerned, it was in everyone’s best interests that Okoto be united, and this meant treading into the Frostelus’ territory and trying to invite them, at times forcefully.

           Naturally, the Frostelus fought against the Okotans’ attempts to conquer them. Successful defensive campaigns, as well as a few preemptive attacks, led to the Emperor deciding that conquering the Frostelus was a useless gesture, or at the very least one best saved for much later. The Frostelus continued their existence in the north, albeit embittered by the Okotans’ xenophobia and specism. While they didn’t doubt the value of unity, they didn’t appreciate the Okotans’ idea of it, and anyhow they were wary of an empire focused on expansion and accumulating power for the sake of it.

           Generations passed, with the Frostelus occasionally coming into conflict with the Okotans as the Emperor every now and then made additional attempts to colonize their lands. Most weren’t willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and assumed that Frostelus were too dumb or unskilled to even wield Masks of Power, thus further justifying excluding them from ‘civilized’ society.

           Ultimately, it seems the Frostelus had the last laugh between themselves and their rival Okotan Kingdom. The Great Cataclysm occurred, causing massive earthquakes and briefly destroying the Frostelus’ iceberg homes, but they just as quickly adapted to the formation of the Region of Ice, taking to the expanded arctic areas well.

With the Okotans scattered and in disarray, the kingdom more or less disassembled, and the Protectors spread thin with the Mask Makers dead or dormant, one would assume the Frostelus would take advantage to spread their own territory. However, in the wake of the rivals’ downfall, the Frostelus decided they had no need nor desire to expand senselessly and establish a giant kingdom. They were perfectly fine staying up north as they always had, although the formation of the Region of Ice nevertheless led to some tribes expanding further, if only to curiously explore the new world before them.

The remaining Okotans continued to view them with some bias, but as society scattered into smaller city-states and villages, the Frostelus were generally forgotten and assumed to be myth. Every now and then someone would venture up north to investigate the legends, and always the Frostelus would chase them off, assuming the worst.

When the Skull Spiders seized Okoto, Makuta considered inviting the Frostelus into his Brotherhood. He attempted to appeal to their experiences of rejection, but the Frostelus quickly recognized Makuta as having less-than-noble intentions and not acting out of altruism. They rejected his offers, and offended, Makuta ordered Fenrakk to attack the Frostelus tribes.

Despite Fenrakk’s best attempts, the Skull Spider swarms were unable to handle the even-colder climates up north, often times freezing just by staying still for too long. In contrast, the Frostelus had the home advantage, were suited precisely for the cold environment, and were stronger and more unified than the scattered Okotan villages Fenrakk was used to. Makuta quickly calmed down and gave up, deciding the effort wasn’t worth it to harvest the souls of the Frostelus or enslave them. He had Fenrakk ignored the Frostelus, leaving them to their frozen lives as the Skull Spiders focused on the Okotans instead.

Once more reigning over their rivals, the Frostelus still kept to themselves, and inevitably they became forgotten or regarded as mere myth by Okotan society. During Phase 2 of the Skull Spider Wars, they came into contact with Okotan society once more when Kopaka, Toa of Ice, and the Kokorans rediscovered them.

After initial skirmishes due to disagreements, as well as fighting over resources, the Okotans attempted to convince the Frostelus to join their cause. In response, the Brotherhood of Makuta resumed their old efforts of recruitment, making grandiose gestures of apology for the previous attacks from a few centuries ago. Between the two, the Frostelus had bad memories of both, and refused to move from their neutral position.

The Okotans eventually recognized and respected the Frostelus’ decision, briefly helping them defend against a Brotherhood attack before departing. From there, the Frostelus would continue to exist, occasionally coming into contact with the Okotan-Brotherhood conflict every now and then. When Ekimu began reestablishing Okoto’s old era of technology, a few Frostelus tribes made the occasional trade venue here and there with the Okotans for tools and resources in exchange for their own goods, such as bitterbite, but otherwise remained neutral.

All Frostelus have minor control over Ice, and are well-suited for arctic climates. Frostelus can freeze their fists, forming giant boulders of ice around them to pummel enemies and obstacles with, and can even grow larger ice chunks to break off of their fists and hurl at targets from afar. Otherwise, they also wield weapons carved from bone as well as ice. They possess small thermodynamic abilities that allow them to keep things cool and chilled with their touch, ensuring their ice weapons stay cold enough to be durable. The Frostelus touch can even be channeled through their icy weapons to freeze enemies before shattering them. Additionally, they possess great strength and durability beyond that of Okotans.

The Frostelus are typically composed of multiple tribes who frequently interact with one another, usually peacefully, although every now and then a conflict may break out. Their culture has them avoid eye contact, which is reserved only for intimate situations, and whenever Okotans insist on looking them in the eye the Frostelus interpret it as a sign of invasive rudeness. Frostelus make their homes in giant, floating icebergs with intricately-carved tunnels and rooms within. They can direct said icebergs through the water with their minor control over Ice, effectively creating mobile fortresses from their homes.

At first glance, their culture may seem primitive, but this is far from the truth. Although few can see much else beyond the seemingly bare-bones flags they fly above their icebergs, in the tunnels within Frostelus make intricate ice sculptures and carve ivory. They often create artwork and furniture from the pelts of animals they’ve hunted, and most of their history and culture is oral, with the exception of intricate ice murals carved along the walls of their homes. They still keep records of their culture deep within their icebergs, just in case.

The Frostelus are omnivorous, enjoying frozen berries and cold, raw meat. They like their cuisine cooled until frozen, enjoying the crunch and texture of ice, and they tend to get most of their water by chewing blocks of ice and snow. Their cuisine is admittedly simple and bare-bones, but they know how to handle and preserve food with the cold without causing freezer burn, and what simple dishes they do have are considered to be a delicacy by some of their friendlier visitors. Frostelus rarely get to enjoy berries due to their proximity from their homes and the harshness of the cold making them infrequent, so if you ever visit the Frostelus, you can get on their good side with a few bushes’ worth of berries as an offering.

The typical Frostelus lifespan is longer than that of Okotans. Many of the older ones hone their craft by acting as ice-smiths, working on hammering and focusing bitterbite with their frozen fists, crafting lethal weapons from the crystals. Frostelus forges are often manned by a large number of skilled, experienced smiths who use rudimentary yet sufficient tools and mechanisms to forge a wide variety of items from materials such as ice, metal, wood, etc.

The Frostelus tribes are nomadic for the most part, sailing around the frozen coasts of the Region of Ice up north. Like the Okotans, they too have legends; Tales of Frostelus heroes, as well as creation stories, myths, folktales, and common sayings. Older Frostelus are usually bestowed the honorable position of story-telling to the young. Their clothing is incredibly basic, unneeded for the most part, but for cultural reasons most will wear simple kilts of animal pelt. The elders have their status signified by pelt cloaks, and leaders will occasionally adorn themselves with additional articles such as capes or jewelry made of ice, metal, wood, and/or ivory. Such luxury fashion is usually saved for formal events, however. In combat, Frostelus warriors can conjure ice armor on their backs and around themselves.

Frostelus family dynamics are generally fluid, and the community as a whole will gladly look over each others’ children. Romantic relationships can be monogamous or polygamous, depending on the lovers’ preference. Although tribe members are valued above other Frostelus, in general the species feels the need to assist one another in times of need and will feel inclined to help a Frostelus stranger upon seeing one. Most conflicts between tribes are rarely bloody as a result. For fun, Frostelus will sometimes brawl with one another, but their durability and deliberate holding back ensures no one is seriously hurt. During said fights, they’ll usually butt heads or other limbs, sometimes iced over.

Whenever a Frostelus does die, be it of old age or combat (probably against an outsider), the dead has their body frozen in a large ice coffin by the community that is sent to drift out into sea. As the coffin floats away, the community stands by and mourns. Many Frostelus heroes are memorialized with ice-carvings or sculptures, their names usually bestowed upon the proud works of smiths or newborn children.

Unsurprisingly, Frostelus dislike the heat. They can toughen through it with the help of conjured ice armor to cool themselves, but otherwise they’ll just keep to their homes in the north. There have been tales of Frostelus colonies that journeyed farther south than the rest, but evidently they decided the effort wasn’t worth it and went back home.

In the incredibly rare event that a Frostelus becomes an unrepentant criminal and/or murders another of their own, they’ll be exiled from the group on a slab of ice. Likewise, other tribes will denounce them; However, if a Frostelus willingly repents and genuinely offers to become a better person, they’ll be cautiously, yet certainly, accepted back.

For the most part, they lack any dogmatic religion, save for the aforementioned myths and stories. Nevertheless, shamans and fortune-tellers exist, divining the future and answers from the ice and various other items in their bowls. These religious figures will evoke the occasional Frostelus deity (and regular Frostelus will mention them here or there) in their rituals. They’ll craft good luck charms that warriors carry into battle.